Feel Comfortable With Your Smile

Not all dental restorations take a long time to install, and not all of them replace natural teeth. Veneers, for example, can quickly correct problems with tooth contour or color without replacing your tooth, as crowns or implants do.

How veneers work

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that replace a tooth’s natural enamel. When applying a veneer, your dentist will remove a thin layer – usually less than a millimeter – of enamel, and bond the porcelain to your tooth with an adhesive. Some dentists describe veneers as being like the front part of a crown, but with far less tooth structure being removed to make way for the porcelain that will replace it.

Key treatment considerations

Not everyone is a good candidate for veneers. Dentists don’t typically recommend them to patients with severe bone loss or significant periodontal (gum) disease. They’re also not a good fit for patients who have bruxism, the medical term for unconscious teeth grinding in one’s sleep.

If your primary concern is correcting a misshapen tooth, taking care of an unsightly gap in your teeth, or correcting tooth discoloration that’s been resistant to whitening procedures, veneers could be a good choice for you. One thing to remember – porcelain veneers are a permanent solution to whatever issue is being addressed. You cannot return a tooth with porcelain veneers to its natural state, and they do need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years.

Dr. Carol Ford, a cosmetic dentist practicing in central Phoenix, says, “Veneers are a great choice for patients who have cosmetic concerns about their teeth and whose treatment doesn’t demand a more significant intervention. You can work with your dentist as he or she develops your veneers and create the custom smile of your dreams.”